A man who went to a woman’s aid as she was being assaulted in Weybridge has been presented with a Chief Constable’s commendation.

Damien Doherty, from Guildford, intervened in the incident in September last year in what was described as an act of selfless bravery.

A man and a woman were walking together at around 11.45pm on September 6 last year when the man suddenly ripped the woman’s dress off, leaving her standing in her underwear. As she frantically tried to put the dress back on he sexually assaulted her as he pinned her against a wall.

A Surrey Police spokesman said: “He hit her head against the wall then shouted aggressively in her face. He subjected her to a further sexual assault followed by gripping her hair with both hands and violently shaking her.”

Mr Doherty, who had been driving past, stopped and immediately jumped out.

CCTV shows him trying to defuse the situation, despite threats from the attacker, who was a larger man.

A police spokesman said: “Throughout the assault the victim was unable to defend herself and was visibly afraid of the offender who had degradingly assaulted her in full view of the public.

“A number of people witnessed the assault, but it was only Damien who got involved to stop it.

“If Damien had not bravely intervened, the victim would have suffered further abuse and serious injury.

“This was a shocking unprovoked attack in a public place. Officers were very grateful that Damien was courageous enough to place himself at risk, to protect the female who was in an extremely dangerous and vulnerable situation.”

Police soon arrived and arrested the man who was subsequently charged with a number of offences. Although the victim did not wish to support a police case, Mr Doherty’s evidence was used for a third party prosecution.